Photography and Loss of Sight, with Pete Eckert: The B&H Photography Podcast

Artist Pete Eckert began to lose his sight at age twenty-seven. That’s also the time he began to study photography. In a few years, Eckert would be completely blind, but his photography practice continued, and numerous exhibitions and high-profile assignments later, he is still creating unique and personal images―and we are fortunate to welcome him to the B&H Photography Podcast.

We start our conversation learning a bit about how Eckert lost his sight and then dive right into discussing the ways he learned photography, the modifications he made to his gear, including his Mamiya medium format camera, and the manner in which he works, whether in studio, streets, or nature. Eckert is clear that his photography is not meant to pass for or mimic photography by a sighted person but rather to create images that tell his story and communicate his perceptions. One glance at his long-exposure, impressionistic images should make that clear.

After a break, we talk with Eckert about his commercial photography assignments, and we learn how he created work for Volkswagen, Swarovski, and Playboy magazine, and how he produces commercial assignments compared to his personal work. We also discuss the value of photography competitions, the groundbreaking “Sight Unseen” photography exhibit, and why Eckert’s photography was featured on an episode of the television police drama NCIS. Join us for this fascinating conversation.

Guest: Pete Eckert

Above photograph © Pete Eckert

Host: Allan Weitz
Senior Creative Producer: John Harris
Senior Producer: Jason Tables
Executive Producer: Shawn C Steiner